Note: Cheta or ettan are suffixes used in Malayalam language as a mark of respect to elders.

“Cheta, Shekharettan from the egg shop was telling me that our Leader, the mightiest one, has asked all of us to remain indoors for the next twenty one days. All modes of transport shall be stopped, borders would be sealed and only restricted emergency movements shall be allowed,” Kalyani said little apprehensively. She knew that her husband’s mood was not good these days. They were lying down on their cot after dinner in their modest house, waiting for sleep fairy to visit them.

No reply.

“What are you thinking cheta?”

“Nothing,” Satyan turned around, showing back to Kalyani.

“He was telling that the leader had said it was a war like situation. People are calling it world war-III.”

Kalyani was 10th pass. She was a socially aware and responsible lady. But, to have knowledge about previous two world wars would have been expecting too much from her. She was a skillful tailor and good cook.

“Member had visited me at the tailoring shop and said I should make a thousand clothed masks using old clothes and bed sheets. Also, I should join community kitchen to help them feed many jobless and homeless.”

“Hmm…” Satyan was a man in his forties. He had grey hairs which were recently cropped. Equally grey were his beard. They were married for twenty four years now, they didn’t have children.

“Shekharettan has said that he will donate a hundred eggs every week to the community kitchen. But, the member seemed a little disappointed, she was probably expecting more from him.” Shekharettan and Kalyani had neighbouring shops at the junction of three roads near the bus stop.

“Politicians always expect poor people to contribute, so that they can loot their expenses from the public funds. Rascals,” he still had his back to her.

“Ayyo! Don’t say so cheta, the member has told that all the people of the state will be provided free food and ration for the three weeks of lock down.”

“Of course, its on your way from the heavens. Keep your doors open,” he mocked her.

“How was the day cheta? Did you have any customers? Did you sell any tyres?”

“No sales. A couple of punctures, that’s it.”

Satyan had a tyre work-shop on the highway. He also had a small business of tyre sales and re-threading of tyres with one of his friends. The business was already badly affected as the vehicle movements were restricted for the past two weeks. Now, with complete lock down, he was getting desperate.

Kalyani sensed it but, out of habit she continued, “I am thinking of bringing home my machine from shop tomorrow. We should contribute in whatever little way possible, shouldn’t we Cheta?”

“You do as you please. I have already done my bit today. I repaired a puncture for an ambulance, free of cost. The driver offered me three hundred rupees, but I refused,” Satyan lied in a cold blunt tone; he had accepted the money.

Kalyani placed her warm hand over Satyan’s shoulder, pressed it gently and assuringly.

“We will overcome this cheta, surely. Our leader was telling on radio that these were very difficult times for all, and we should fight this together, all of us.”

“The leader of yours is full of gimmicks, and there are plenty of foolowers who follow him blindly.”

“Our Leader! At least these foolowers are trying to help people unlike hypocrites who preach high morals and sit idle.”

“I don’t wish to be a hero. I wish to survive somehow and then die. I have no great ambitions. So, please excuse me. I wish to sleep now.”

“Lock the door for twenty one days, don’t step out, and you will be a HERO.”

“Yes surely. Your uncle will bring us food and necessary things, isn’t it?”

“Relax cheta! Everything will be taken care of. Don’t worry and have trust.”

“I neither have trust nor do I have much hope. I wish to sleep now. So, no more discussions.”

“Cheta, some people are working very hard, day and night, to get us, people like me and you, out of this dreadful situation. We should appreciate it, and support them; at least don’t mock them. If you don’t wish to be a hero, its okay, but, please don’t be a villain,” Kalyani too turned around.

“I know what to do, okay, don’t preach. Shut up and sleep,” Satyan said definitively.

Kalyani’s last said words had hit Bull’s eye. During all this conversation Kalyani was trying to make a point. This outburst meant that she had hit exactly where it was intended. She smiled, and slept.

Midnight, Kalyani opened her eyes to the sound of a bike moving out of their compound. She looked over her shoulder, Satyan was not there. She closed her eyes and slept.

Satyan stopped his bike under a tree, on the highway, two kilometers from his work-shop. Using his mobile torch and a wooden plank, he removed the dust and dried mud from the road sides. Along with the dust and mud, he also removed the nails which were placed beneath.

He repeated the same at three other places.